Boeing recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development follows recent challenges faced by Boeing, particularly after competitor Airbus made inroads with these carriers in the wake of troubles with Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue its partnership and choose the 787 Dreamliner as it updates its fleet. This news coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines will be acquiring 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, with a possibility of adding 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement highlights the competitive landscape, as earlier this year, Japan Airlines had opted to purchase 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody aircraft, emphasizing the long-term relationship between the two companies and the role of Boeing’s planes in supporting the airline’s sustainability goals and growth trajectory.